Sensors for measuring air quality in schools

Five HTLs in Carinthia and six HTLs in Tyrol are receiving high-precision CO2 sensor kits from Infineon Austria and the MCI in Innsbruck. The student teams will use them to build CO2 traffic lights that indicate when airing is necessary and can thus reduce the risk of infection. A total of 300 classrooms will be equipped.

The CO2 content in indoor spaces is an important indicator of air quality. Especially in the current pandemic, this value can help contain the spread of viruses and keep schools running. Regular cross-ventilation and shock-ventilation of classes - in addition to ongoing tests and wearing of masks - is therefore also provided for in the specifications of the Ministry of Education. But when is it time for ventilation? Infineon and the MCI are providing CO2 sensor kits free of charge for 11 technical teaching institutions in Carinthia and Tyrol in order to draw attention to timely ventilation in the classroom using state-of-the-art technology.

Creating benefits with education and know-how

In the spirit of 'learning by doing', the young technical talents build their own air quality measurement systems with the Infineon sensors, which warn of excessive CO2 concentrations and thus reduce the risk of virus transmission.

Learning in a healthy indoor environment is of utmost importance, especially in times like these. Sabine Herlitschka, CEO Infineon Austria: "With our initiative, we want to enable a healthy and safe learning atmosphere in the classroom and support the young talents in their technology education. The students as well as the teachers are actively involved, can combine the knowledge of several subjects - from electronics, computer science to physics - and combine it with health-related topics. This encourages participation, strengthens team spirit and creates digital solutions that benefit the whole school."

Precise sensor measures air quality and saves energy

At the heart of the CO2 sensor is an Infineon module based on XENSIV PAS technology. It measures the CO2 content precisely, reliably and continuously. In addition, other parameters such as temperature, humidity and air pressure are measured. As soon as a limit value is exceeded, an alarm can be triggered via a CO2 traffic light. According to the Ministry of the Environment, the CO2 - i.e. the carbon dioxide concentration - in classrooms should not exceed an average of 1,000 ppm (parts per million, i.e. 0.1 percent by volume). Since the concentration of aerosols through which the virus is transmitted correlates with the concentration of CO2, the CO2 sensor can help ensure that people can once again meet in safe conditions indoors - whether in the office, at school or at home.

"We have created an easy-to-use system solution in our innovation lab, the "Emerging Applications Lab", which is run jointly with Infineon, and have already installed it in 12 lecture halls in Innsbruck: Another 50 lecture halls are in preparation. With the display of the CO2 value, we have an objective benchmark for energy-efficient fresh air supply, can ventilate according to demand and avoid unnecessary energy losses, especially in the winter time. We are happy to pass on this practical research know-how to the schools," says MCI Rector Andreas Altmann.

MINT talents and schools network

In Carinthia, the HTLs in Villach, Klagenfurt Mössingerstrasse and Lastenstrasse, Wolfsberg and Ferlach are participating. In Tyrol, the HTL Innsbruck Trenkwalderstraße, in Jenbach, Kramsach, Lienz, Imst and IKA Reutte. At school, the students learn to build and programme a CO2 traffic light under the guidance of the teachers. This enables them to deepen their hardware and software knowledge, create a digital design with LED lights and acoustic signals, control the system and expand it to an Internet-of-Things platform. For this purpose, a dedicated developer forum was set up across the school to network, exchange knowledge and develop ideas for further innovations. Digital technologies thus offer real added value for education and collaboration.

Smart building management at HTL Villach

The school team at HTL Villach is going one step further: the CO2 sensors are not only used in the classes, but are also integrated into the technology of the building conversion currently underway. Networking with the infrastructure control concept will enable automated and continuous data collection and data evaluation for the entire school. For example, noise levels could also be measured in the future.

This practical collaboration between industry and education shows how STEM subjects such as mathematics, computer science, natural sciencesand technologycan be used to create smart solutions for topics on the cutting edge. It is an active contribution to practice-oriented education as well as to qualified technical specialists in the region.

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